hucifer

Nothing drums up more discussion than Cats. After my Oasis cruise last year, I finally understood why. I promised myself that I would stay AT LEAST until the first act, but my legs had something else in mind and walked me out of the theatre somewhere in the middle of the first act. I just couldn't take it any more.

The set, the costumes, the choreography, the music, the singing, the entire production was TOP NOTCH. But good Lord, I could not figure out the damn plot or what the point was.

When I dragged my son out of the kids club, I said, "You have got to see how bad this is," and walked him into the theatre. By then, most of the audience was gone. We stood there and watched a few brutal minutes and walked out again. Cats is the butt of our jokes to this day. "Remember how bad?" One of us would ask the other. And then we would laugh and laugh.

It would be a damn shame to keep this production on the Oasis if most of the audience is gone by Intermission.

A little late with my response, but thank you again to everyone who took the time to post their thoughts.

On ‎8‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 3:39 PM, megr1125 said:

The Marriott Waterfront on Aliceanna Street in Harbor East is fabulous.  And there's a HUGE starbucks around 1-2 blocks away ish on President Street...THAT too is awesome as it's a reserve store with all kinds of other cool drinks not offered at a lot of places.  A CVS, Whole Foods and a wine store are easily walkable.  Uber is around 15 bucks or so to the pier.  

 

For a quick, yummy lunch, the Harbor East deli has GREAT food at decent prices and you get a lot for your money.  

 

I agree with a previous reply...the Harbor East area is WAY nicer than the Inner Harbor.  It's newer and more upscale.  Also, IMO it's safer (please don't flame me, I'm in Baltimore a LOT).  I actually walked to the 24 hour CVS one night at almost midnight when I was really sick and needed cough medicine.  I walked fast, but didn't feel unsafe.  (There were a lot of people out and about leaving restaurants and the movies)

 

I've dined at both Amicci's and La Scala in the last year or so and they're both pretty good, though food is really subjective.  You'll get other responses for that question too.

This was VERY helpful, thank you megr1125! You're absolutely right that food is subjective. When I look up favorite restaurants in Yelp and see that Olive Garden is number one, well...

On ‎8‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 9:07 PM, Debbdo said:

We stayed at the Inner Harbor last year and walked to Little Italy and discovered Dalesio's,  which we loved. Great food, beautiful ambiance, wonderful service.  

 

Thank you Debbdo!

18 hours ago, Tony O said:

Sabatinos ! 

Thanks Tony O. Holy cow, so many recommendations and none of them are the same! Looks like I can't go wrong.

I appreciate all of the responses. Sounds like Marriott is the favored of the two. I am referring to the Marriott that is just south of Little Italy. If I'm looking correctly at the map, it is a little further from the cruise pier than the Hyatt. Either way, I'm sure both are a cheap Uber to port.

The Hyatt is super close to a Starbucks. Super sad that I even use that as criteria.

I fly in early that morning, so I have a lot of time to explore the area. I've been to the aquarium before, and while it was pretty impressive, I'm not so sure I'll be doing it again.

Speaking of Little Italy...what is your favorite Italian restaurant for pasta? Asking for a friend. A friend who likes pasta.

Staying one night pre-cruise in Baltimore and am considering both the Hyatt and the Marriott. The Marriott rooms look bigger, but are there any other glaring differences that make one stand out over the other? Location better at one?

1 hour ago, PCWalton1 said:

Our favorite

 

http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com/

 

This.

On ‎4‎/‎4‎/‎2019 at 8:08 AM, ksmommy5 said:

Ok, I just want to say it is an HONOUR to have you comment on my post. I legit read through your review (22 pages!) of the Allure and you had me in tears.  I am debating between BarHop and Nachi Cocum for Cozumel. I am doing Maya Chan in Costa Maya already but I cant grasp spending 60$ on alcohol when I can walk around port of Coz and quad-fist 1$ Coronas lol

Oh my gosh, thank you. Comments like yours are very humbling. I am so glad that you enjoyed it! Anyway, yeppers...I recommend Nachi Cocum over Cozumel Bar Hop. I mean...free drinks all day under an umbrella? Pffft. No contest. Then again, the Bar Hop was more social and therefore more fun. NC was relaxing and quiet. I guess it depends what you are in the mood for.

On ‎3‎/‎31‎/‎2019 at 8:25 AM, KmomChicago said:

 

Oh come on. That's a bit disingenuous.  You hardly need to ask this question, you instant legend you. 

 

But the answer is yes.

Ha! You flatter me. Thanks, Kmom. :)

22 minutes ago, broberts said:

To multiquote click on the + button to the left of the Quote link. The + will chance to a checkmark and a count box will appear in the lower right corner of the window. Click a checkmark to remove the quote. Click the x in the count box to cancel all of the quotes.

 

When ready to reply, click on the count button (not the x).

Thank you. I totally did it wrong.

18 hours ago, do_not_spindle said:

You should.  Wife & I have been on GoS several times.  Baltimore is very convenient for us (1hr drive) and we seem to prefer the smaller ships.  It will be a very different experience than the Allure.  We find the crew to be extremely friendly.  Also, IMO, more make your own entertainment and less waiting for the cruise staff to entertain you.  An advantage for us is there seems to be more at sea days which we like.  The 1st and last days can be inside days depending on the weather.  Enjoy!

I haven't figured out how to multiquote yet.

I have been on Rhapsody, and I absolutely loved her and her staff, but that was back in 2011. Am looking forward to a long solo getaway on Grandeur. It pleases me to see so many positive reviews on her.

Also, testing the whole new photo capability...

ETA: It works! But how long is my photo going to stay there. Hmm...

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 11:22 AM, broberts said:

 

With the new website you can upload photos directly. See the choose files link at the bottom of the post editor when entering a new post.

 

One can also create shared photo galleries (and reference the pictures in posts). See 

 for details.

 

Okay, this is another great suggestion. Thank you! :D

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 7:35 AM, bobmacliberty said:

I use Shutterfly.  Free and easy to use...cut/paste directly into your post with no additional clicking or coding.  I used to use Photobucket.  Never again.

Thank you for the suggestion!

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 11:03 AM, Tahina cruising said:

I am seeing it! You should start a Grandeur solo traveler takeover thread 😊 I'm going somewhat solo in October on the Freedom. I'm meeting the people I met on my November cruise 😊 I'm already thinking ahead to next year for going completely solo. 

Hey! You came back! Alright, I'll start a thread and hope the idea catches on. I love it when I make friends on cruises and agree to meet up with them again. :)

8 hours ago, broberts said:

 

Likely a problem when the software used for this website was changed. You might try an email to community@cruisecritic.com with a link to the OP.

 

Please keep writing reviews. This one was most entertaining.

Thank you, Broberts! I enjoyed writing it.

The issue happened well before the website changed, so I don't really know what happened. So I will still blame Facebook.

Is there a better place to upload photos? I tried Instagram, but didn't really care for that.

On ‎12‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 9:09 PM, scorpluvsdolphins said:

I’m reading this on my phone and the OP pictures didn’t show, but everyone else that commented with pictures did. 

Anyone know why!

Yeah...no.

The photos are still there on my Facebook page. So I blame Facebook.

On ‎12‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 1:00 PM, Tahina cruising said:

Ohhh, I want to join you too! I went solo for the first time with 2 other couples a month ago on Freedom.  I'm doing it again in October but with new friends from my last cruise! I love your sense of humor! I'm a year younger than you but we aren't old! 40's are the new 20's 😉😂 I love the idea of a solo RCI cruise!!! 

Okay, so I have no idea if you'll see this since you posted last year, but I am going solo again this October on the Grandeur. I wonder if I should start a "Grandeur solo traveler takeover" thread.

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 4:37 PM, titansrobin said:

I loved my first solo a couple of months ago so much I booked a B2B solo on Allure for January 2020. 

I only cruise Royal but this will be my first time on an Oasis class ship. I’ve never booked a year out before and not sure I can last that long. I started looking today for a cruise late summer. 

Allure is an amazing ship! I cruised her solo two years ago. My trip report is in my signature, if you're interested.

I too did the Bar Hop as a solo and i didn't feel awkward at all. By the second bar, people were asking to sit with me. I wasn't without company after that and had a fantastic time.

Thank you! I know you can also make a call using the Facebook messenger app. Have you done that on the ship before?

Yes I have! Worked well. :)

I have used both WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger on the ship with no issues.

Thanks for the post! I was supposed to be on this cruise, but my little man fractured his arm just before the cruise. Glad to hear such a positive review. We'll be on Oasis next month! Woo hoo!

Hope you were not emotionally attached to them.

OMG, I busted out laughing at this comment.

Hucifer, I am so sorry that your trip had to be cancelled at such short notice! I bet your little solja is terribly disappointed (and sore!) :( I do hope he heals well and you will soon be cruisin' again - just think, you will still have it to anticipate when your original date has come and gone :)

My ex says he is more upset about ruining MY vacation. My boy is such a sweetheart. I am truly blessed.

I hope I don't have to wait too long before planning the next one.

Here is our story:

About 5 years ago we started buying trip insurance thru our travel agency, AAA. It is Allianz insurance. We bought it because my MIL was in poor health, she has since passsed, and my mother had turned 90. What if we had to interrupt out travels to fly home?

2 1/2 years ago we were 6 days into a nine day cruise out of Galveston, getting ready for breakfast before leaving the ship in Costa Maya (Costa Maybe). DH was in the bathroom and suddenly called out to call the ship's doctor--he thought he was having a heart attack. After spending the day in the ships infirmary (and delaying sailing by a couple of hours), an ambulance was dispatched to take us to Cozumel Hyperbaric hospital since all they could discover was that it wasn't a heart attack. In Cozumel it was discovered that he was suffering from by-lateral DVT's in his legs and had suffered a pulmonary thrombosis. They then called for a jet to air-lift us to Ft. Lauderdale Broward Medical center. He spent 6 days there in ICU while the clots dissolved before they flew us home.

Trip insurance picked up the $1000 bill from the ships infirmary, the $10,000 for the ambulance ride and 24 hours in Cozumel hospital ICU, the $20,000 for the lear jet ride (us, 2 pilots, 1 doctor, 1 flight nurse) to Ft. Lauderdale, the 6 days of ICU there plus surgery to implant a blood filter (unknown amount), transportation home of appx. $750 plus chauffeur transportation the additional 90 miles to our home. They also paid for our SIL to fly to Galveston to retrieve our car and bring it home to us. Our $200 travel investment picked up some $50,000 in expenses that we didn't have to pay a penny on. They even picked up my hotel bill in Ft. Lauderdale, when I could have slept in the other bed in his room. I figure that trip insurance for the rest of our lives is paid for in full by what we didn't have to pay. We will never travel without trip insurance again.

 

K

Wow. What a story. Thank you for sharing.

Hucifer - Sorry to hear about your son. I greatly enjoyed your last review and forgot that you were going to be on the same sailing as us on Sunday. Would have been nice to meet you. We'll raise a glass in your honor at some point. Can you ask your Florida friend to take your place? ;p :evilsmile:

Oh, we were on the same sailing? Yes, it would have been nice to meet you!

Sorry, Wendy now lives up here in Michigan with me 9 months of the year. Well, not WITH me, but a few miles down the road.

It’s #theboy! 😀

Ah, poor Nicolas. 🤕 Let him know all his Cruise Critic friends are thinking of him and wish him a speedy recovery. I am sure he will be fine - kids heal so quickly while old foggies like me ...

And YES! to your travel insurance warning. If nothing else, it always gives me peace of mind knowing I have it.

~ Judy

Ha ha, no. That's Patrick. Nicolas (aka #theboy) is Sharse's son. But I'll let him know that everyone wishes him well.

Thanks everyone for the information and the well wishes! Once his arm heals, I will look into another cruise. I can't wait to take my little man!